Man killed in motorcycle crash on U.S. 131

Sunday, April 7, 2013

A Grand Rapids man was killed early Satruday when the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a cement wall on southbound U.S. 131 near I-196 in Grand Rapids.

Joseph Herman Wilson, 52, was thrown from the motorcycle and over the wall. He came to rest some 40 feet below the freeway near Turner Avenue Northwest, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police, Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been wearing a helmet, which came off during the crash.

The 1976 Honda motorcycle he was riding came to rest in the middle lane of U.S. 131 after colliding with the wall.

There were no other vehicles involved in the crash. Excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, police said.

Michigan State Police were assisted by Grand Rapids Police units and AMR Ambulance at the scene.